Ryan Smith

Senior Editor

Ryan is a writer and editor who first wrote for AwardWallet team in 2021 but has been around points and miles for several years. He has previously written at Miles to Memories and The Points Guy, as well.

 

After someone at his hostel in China said “I flew here for free using points,” Ryan was hooked. Ryan is on a mission to visit every country in the world and has less than 10 countries remaining. He will visit his final country in late 2023.

 

His wife joins him on many of his trips, and they enjoy snowboarding, diving, and seeing animals in the wild. When not traveling, Ryan is probably answering questions from his family about how he travels so much and whether all of this is illegal.

Marriott Finally Displays Resort Fees in Compliance With Court Order

In late 2021, Marriott agreed to a legal settlement to clearly list resort fees (and other mandatory fees) on the first page of hotel results. After years of delays (and fines), Marriott is finally complying with the settlement. You'll now see resort fees in the initial Marriott search results. However, the initial price still won't be your total cost. Here's how to compare the all-in prices for Marriott hotels.

Do Any Credit Cards Provide Top-Tier Hotel Elite Status?

Earning elite status with a hotel program can be both tough and expensive. It's possible to achieve mid-tier hotel status with credit cards quite easily. But what about top-tier elite status: Can you get that from credit cards? Here's an overview of the cards that offer top-tier elite status and other credit card shortcuts to elite status.

Flash Sale: Buy Emirates Skywards Miles with up to a 35% Bonus

Emirates just launched a new flash sale to buy Skywards miles, offering a 35% bonus on purchases through midnight May 9, 2023. For the ~30 hours, you can buy Skywards miles for 2.22¢ per mile. This is still a pretty crummy rate. So let's take a look at your alternatives and when buying miles might make sense.

How to Earn 5 Free Night Certificates with Hyatt Brand Explorer Perk

Hyatt Brand Explorer is one of my favorite perks across hotel loyalty programs. Thanks to some recent additions, you can now earn up to five free nights simply by staying at different Hyatt brands within the World of Hyatt program. Here's a look at how to earn the awards, what they are, and other details for maximizing this awesome benefit.

Which Credit Card Should You Use to Buy Points and Miles?

We regularly publish deals on buying points and miles at a discount. While it isn't usually your best bet for earning a lot of points and miles (you should focus on earning credit card sign-up bonuses instead), buying points can make sense in some situations. If you've decided to buy points or miles for an upcoming redemption, what credit card should you use? In this post, we show you how to decide the best option for you.

Aeroplan Credit Card: Quality Perks, Valuable Miles & a Modest Annual Fee

Even if you don't plan to visit Canada, there are reasons why you should care about the Aeroplan loyalty program. Its points can provide fantastic value. And the simplest way to earn a pile of Aeroplan points is through a credit card welcome bonus, such as the Aeroplan® Credit Card. Need help deciding if this card is right for you? Let's dive into the Aeroplan Card.

Who is Eligible for the 50K Bonus on the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®

Every time I see a good bonus on a credit card, my fingers get itchy. I'm ready to apply. I'm already dreaming of where those points and miles can take me. However, I always need to bounce back to reality for a minute. "Am I eligible for this sign-up bonus?" is an important question to ask. Here's a look at some common questions and answers about eligibility for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®.